Abstract: A distributed work environment is presented in which a plurality of mobile workers using portable computing devices can gain access to a network via network access stations installed within the work environment. Each network access station is associated with a physical location within the work environment and includes a unique station identifier that may be associated with the physical location. Upon connection to the network, the unique station identifier is provided to a location/association system on the network. Based on the unique station identifier, the location/association system may provide the worker associated with the computing device access to privileges and services associated with the physical location. The computing device may also provide to the location/association system a unique device identifier associated with the computing device and/or the worker's identity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for a multimedia data communications system. The data communication system is provided for use in a work environment to establish a connection between a data communication device and an access point in connection with a communication system and with a multimedia system providing a multimedia signal. The data communication system includes a data port associated with the access point, a multimedia conversion circuit associated with the access point and in communication with the data port for converting the multimedia signal from the multimedia system into a multimedia data signal for transmission to the data communication device and for converting a multimedia data signal from the data communication device for transmission to the multimedia device, and a device port associated with the data communication device so that a data link can be established between the data port and the device port.